Memo explains school spending increase

June 14, 2013 - 2:25 PM

MADISON, Wis. — A new memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau explains that the $150 per-student spending increase that's part of the state budget would amount to a $100 bump in the first year.

That is because of a $50 one-time per-pupil spending increase for this year that does not become part of the district's base funding going forward.

Democratic Rep. Cory Mason says he thought the intention was to provide the $150 per-pupil spending on top of what schools had this year.

In fact, the $150 increase in the first year was as compared with Gov. Scott Walker's budget, which held spending flat.

Democrats have been calling for a $275 per-pupil spending increase in each of the next two years.